Upload
sherilyn-cook
View
219
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Review evaluation and differential diagnosis of low back pain
Discuss when to obtain imagingDiscuss selected etiologies/radiography of
back painDiscuss treatment modalitiesHave trivial Pennsylvania fun
Image Challenge
What is the diagnosis?
1. Atlanto-occipital dislocation2. Atlanto-axial subluxation3. Pillar fracture4. Spinous process avulsion5. Wedge fracture
Q:
Answer:
Image Challenge
What is the diagnosis? Q:
1. Atlanto-occipital dislocation
This computed tomogram of the cervical spine shows major atlanto-occipital dislocation in the lateral view that proved to be fatal.
Treatment for low back pain dated to Hippocrates (460-370 BCE), who reported joint manipulation and use of traction
Second most common office visit2/3 of all adults will suffer from85% idiopathic “strain/sprain”Most common pain syndromeRisk factors: heavy lifting, twisting, bodily
vibration, obesity, and poor conditioningDeyo R and Weinstein J. N Engl J Med
2001;344:363-370Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of
Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders 2008
Deyo R and Weinstein J. N Engl J Med 2001;344:363-370
Differential Diagnosis of Low Back Pain
Mechanical Low Back Pain 97%:HNP: 4%Spinal Stenosis 3%
Cancer: 0.7%Infection: 0.1%Inflammatory Arthritis: 0.3%
Strain and sprain have never been anatomically or histologically characterized, should be referred to as “idiopathic low back pain”
Deyo R and Weinstein J. N Engl J Med 2001;344:363-370
Common Pathoanatomical Conditions of the Lumbar Spine
Observed walkHeel and toe walkingSkin exam…focused-zoster-café au lait spots-hair tuft “faun’s beard”-scoliosis
Palpate all of the spinous processes of the thoracolumbar spine
Neurologic, muscle strength and reflex testing
Straight leg testingBowstring signDistracted straight leg test, positive with
Tripod sign or Flip signFemoral Stretch TestAnal Wink
Fam. Musculoskeletal Examination and Joint Injection techniques. Mosby Eslevier
2006.
Fam. Musculoskeletal Examination and Joint Injection techniques. Mosby Eslevier
2006.
With onset of pain posterior tibial nerve is stretched like a bowstring across the popliteal fossa
Fam. Musculoskeletal Examination and Joint Injection techniques. Mosby Eslevier
2006.
Pain in the anterior thigh or L2/3 region indicates a positive test (tests for HNP compressing nerve roots L2/3/4)
Gaenslen testPatrick testSI distractionSI compressionSpondylitis measuring
Fam. Musculoskeletal Examination and Joint Injection techniques. Mosby Eslevier
2006.
Normal Finger to Floor: 0-5 cm
Normal Finger to Fibula: 0-5 cm
Normal Modified Schobers 15 increases to 20 cm
Normal Occiput to Wall: 0-2 cm
Is there a serious underlying illness?Does the back pain have a neurogenic
claudication or sciatic-type syndrome?
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders
2008
Limited to patients with systemic disease or trauma
Guidelines recommend plain radiography for patients:
-with fever-unexplained weight loss-history of cancer-neurologic deficits-alcohol or injection-drug abuse-age of more than 50 years-trauma Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al.
Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, December 1994.
(AHCPR publication no. 95-0642.)
Recent significant trauma Milder trauma age >50 Unexplained weight loss Unexplained fever Immunosuppression History of cancer Intravenous (IV) drug use OsteoporosisProlonged use of corticosteroids Age >70 Focal neurologic deficit progressive or disabling
symptomsDuration greater than 6 weeksLow back pain. American College of
Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria. Copyright ©2005 American College of
Radiology
There is no evidence that plain xrays in patients with nonspecific low back pain are associated with improvement in patient outcomes over selective imaging
RCT 421 patients with lumbago x 6 weeksExclusion criteria:-if they had xrays of spine within 1 year-unexplained weight loss or fever, were taking oral
steroids, had a history of malignancy, tuberculosis, injecting drug use, or a positive result on a HIV test
-symptoms or signs of a cauda equina lesion-were pregnant or planning a pregnancy
Kendrick D, Fielding K, Bentley E, Kerslake R, Miller P, Pringle M. BMJ. 2001;322:400-
5.
Kendrick D, Fielding K, Bentley E, Kerslake R, Miller P, Pringle M. BMJ. 2001;322:400-
5
Researchers evaluated patients with baseline MRI
Repeated MRI when developed low back painLess than 5% developed new pathologic
lesion
Deyo R and Weinstein J. N Engl J Med 2001;344:363-370
Representative Results of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies in Asymptomatic Adults
Degenerative Disc DiseasePaget’sDISHOchronosisRenal OsteodystrophySickle CellScheuermann KyphosisInfectious, brieflyIdiopathic hemispherica sclerosis?
Rajeev K Patel, MD. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease: Differential
Diagnoses & Workup. emedicine.com, updated 03 Aug 2009
Signs of degeneration include loss of disk height, sclerosis of the endplates, or osteophytic ridging
Intervertebral Osteochondrosis (dehydration and dessication of the nucleus
pulposis) leads to the vaccuum phenomenom, nitrogen gas formation, bone
sclerosis and disc space loss. This cavity then becomes surrounded by a rim of
sclerosis (Schmorl’s node)
Copyright © 2006 by the American Roentgen Ray Society
Schellinger, D. et al. Am. J. Roentgenol. 2004;183:1761-1765
MR images of lumbar spine with degenerative changes at L1
Results from disturbance in bone modelling and remodelling due to increase in osteoblastic and osteoclastic activity
Spine is the second most common site of bone involvement (Pelvis #1)
Lumbar spine (L4 and L5 levels) are the most frequently involved sites (58%)
Thoracic (45%) Cervical vertebrae (14%) Why does Paget’s hurt? -Periosteal stretching -Vascular engorgement -Microfractures -Facet arthritis -Intervertebral disc disease-Overt fractures -Spondylolysis/-listhesis -Sarcoma—very rareLangston A, Ralston SH .Rheumatology
(Oxford). 2004 Aug;43(8):955-9. Epub 2004 Jun 8. C. Dell’Atti, V. N. et al Skeletal
Radiol. 2007 July; 36(7): 609–626.
C. Dell’Atti, V. N. et al Skeletal Radiol. 2007 July; 36(7): 609–626.
Axial CT sections in different patients showing the various mechanisms and their effect on marrow size (long white arrow) and cortical thickness (short white arrow). a Periosteal apposition, normal endosteum. b Periosteal apposition, endosteal resorption. c Periosteal and endosteal apposition. d Pumice stone type (dashed arrow) of focal periosteal apposition. Similar focal periosteal apposition of the spinous process is seen
C. Dell’Atti, V. N. et al Skeletal Radiol. 2007 July; 36(7): 609–626.
a Lateral and b antero-posterior radiographs demonstrate expansion of the vertebra with characteristic sclerotic lines parallel to the end-plates due to trabecular hypertrophy, an “early” sign of PD. c Lateral radiograph in a different patient demonstrates the “picture frame” vertebra due to thickening of the cortex and trabecular hypertrophy at the end-plates
Graham T S Radiology 2005;235:614-615Langston A, Ralston SH .Rheumatology
(Oxford). 2004 Aug;43(8):955-9. Epub 2004 Jun 8. C. Dell’Atti, V. N. et al Skeletal
Radiol. 2007 July; 36(7): 609–626.
Differential diagnoses of “ivory vertebra” include, Paget’s, metastasis, osteosarcoma, carcinoid and Hodgkin’s lymphoma . This is a case of metastatic prostate CA
Most patients present with stiff back or non-specific back pain
Dysphagia, stridor, chronic pneumonia, and vascular compression are all complications from advanced disease
Khozaim Nakhoda Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. emedicine .com
Clinical Criteria:- Flowing calcifications/ossifications along
anterolateral aspect of 4 contiguous vertebral bodies, with or without osteophytes
-Preservation of disk height in involved areas and abscence of excessive disk disease
-Absence of bony ankylosis of facet joints and absence of sacroiliac erosion, sclerosis, or bony fusion (narrowing and sclerosis of facet joints ok)
Khozaim Nakhoda Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. emedicine .com
Paraspinal ligaments undergo attrition, degenerate then ossify
Three clinical variants of spinal enthesopathy1.Forestier’s disease involves the anterior
longitudinal ligament2.DISH involves extra-axial sites3.Ossification of the posterior longitudinal
ligament
Khozaim Nakhoda Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. emedicine .com
Etiology is unknown however there are some associations:
-Hyperglcyemia and Diabetes- Dyslipidemia-Hyperuricemia -Vitamin A derivatives used to treat acne-Chronic fluoride intoxication
Vezyroglou G, Mitropoulos A, Antoniadis C. A . J Rheumatol. Apr 1996;23(4):672-6.
DiGiovanna JJ SO J Am Acad Dermatol 2001 Nov;45(5):S176-82.
Utsinger PD; Resnick D; Shapiro R . Arch Intern Med 1976 Jul;136(7):763-8.
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders
2008
Syndesmophytes arise from anterosuperior and anteroinferior margins of the vertebral body
Syndesmophytes may be best seen in the frontal projection
The presence of sacroiliac joint erosions and extensive intra-articular bony ankylosis of the sacroiliac and apophyseal joints in ankylosing spondylitis
The ossification in DISH attaches to the vertebral body several millimeters from these margins
Changes are most prominent on the lateral radiographic projection
None
DISH
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. There is bone formation along the anterior aspects of more than four vertebral bodies. The disk spaces are maintained, and the sacroiliac joints were normal.
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders
2008
Absence of homogentisic acid oxidase Consequent accumulation of
homogentisic acidAutosomal recessive inheritance
discovered by Garod in 1902
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders
2008Garrod, AE. The incidence of alkaptonuria:
a study in chemical individuality. Lancet 1902; 2:1616.
Firestein: Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology,8th ed. WB Saunders
2008
Dystrophic (hydroxyapatite crystal) calcification involving disks but calcification also seen in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. The most specific is in spine, which appears osteoporotic with dense disk calcification. Other joints involved show changes of mild degenerative joint disease, but this is a much less specific .
University of Washington Department of Radiology website. Musculoskeletal
Radiology
Sclerosis is noted adjacent to the endplates (rugger-jersey spine) in a patient with renal osteodystrophy -- of osteoid in these areas.DDX osteomalacia and hyperparathyroidism.
BONUS: What type of fish is pictured to the right of the screen?
Scheuermann kyphosis is defined as anterior wedging of ≥5º in at least three adjacent vertebral bodies, as measured on lateral spine radiographs
Most common cause of structural kyphosis in adolescence. The mode of inheritance is likely autosomal dominantEtiology remains largely unknown Indications for treatment remain controversial because
the true natural history of the disease has not been clearly defined
Brace treatment appears to be very effective if the diagnosis is made early
Surgical treatment is rarely indicated for severe kyphosis (>75 degrees ) with curve progression, refractory pain, or neurologic deficit
Lowe TG Orthop Clin North Am 1999 Jul;30(3):475-87, ix
This lateral radiograph of the thoracic spine demonstrates moderate endplate
irregularity, preserved vertebral disc spaces, and mild anterior wedging of the
vertebral bodies, all of which are consistent with Scheuermann kyphosis.
Courtesy of Jeanne Chow, MD, and Children's Hospital Boston.
DiscitisEpidural AbscessOsteomyelitis
To differentiate from vaccuum phenomenom look for gas, extension,
osteophytes that occur in the upper outer annular attachmentgrowing horizontal then
vertical (traction vs claw)
Occurs in young womenVertebral level L4Appears as gas in an intervertebral bodyPneumocyst vs AVN
NSAID’sTylenolNarcoticsTricyclic AntidepressantsMuscle RelaxantsPhysical TherapyNon-Surgical Intervention therapySurgery
In a study of primary care patients80% of patients prescribed at least 1
medication Greater than 1/3 were prescribed 2 or more
drugs
Cherkin DC, Wheeler KJ, Barlow W, Deyo RA. Spine. 1998;23:607-14.
5 acetaminophen trials57 NSAID trials10 trials of duloxetine and venlafaxine8 trials of benzodiazepines2 trials gabapentin2 trials topiramate36 trials of muscle relaxants9 opiod trials3 trials of tramadol4 trials of systemic corticosteroids...so what is the bottom line Dave?
Good evidence of short-term effectiveness for acute low back pain are:
- NSAIDs -acetaminophen-skeletal muscle relaxant*tricyclic antidepressants for chronic low back
painEvidence that opioids, tramadol,
benzodiazepines, and gabapentin are effective for pain relief of radiculopathy.
Good evidence that systemic corticosteroids are ineffective.Chou, Roger MD; Huffman, Laurie Hoyt MS
Annals of Internal MedicineIssue: Volume 147(7), 2 October 2007, pp
505-514
Tylenol first lineNSAID’s for more severe painOpioids in select patients with more severe
painMy treatment regimen-NSAID and muscle relaxant for mild to
moderate pain followed by manipulation-Narcotic plus benzodiazepine followed by
manipulation for severe pain
Chou, Roger MD; Huffman, Laurie Hoyt MS Annals of Internal Medicine
Issue: Volume 147(7), 2 October 2007, pp 505-514
Recommendation 7: For patients who do not improve with self-care options, clinicians should consider the addition of nonpharmacologic therapy with proven benefits—for acute low back pain,
-Spinal manipulation; for chronic or subacute low back pain-Intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation-Exercise therapy-Acupuncture-Massage therapy-Spinal manipulation-Yoga-Cognitive-behavioral therapy-Progressive relaxation ***(weak recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Chou, roger et al. Diagnosis. Ann Intern Med October 2, 2007 vol. 147 no. 7
478-491
One RCT39 patientsResults:-The individuals in the specific-exercise-training
group reported a significant decrease in LBP and disability
-Maintained over a 12-month follow-up period-Treatment with a modified Pilates-based
approach was more efficacious than usual care in a population with chronic, unresolved LBP
Rydeard R Leger A, Smith DJ Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006
Jul;36(7):472-84
For low back pain with radiculopathy, 10 of 17 trials found no difference in pain or function between epidural glucocorticoid and placebo injection
Similar findings for facet and nerve branch blocksDiscography or injection of the disc at the level of
pain remains unprovenOther therapies out there:-Chemonucleolysis-Electrothermal-Radiotherapy-Botulinum toxin
Chou R; Atlas SJ; Stanos SP; Rosenquist RW Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 May
1;34(10):1078-93UptoDate.com
Deyo R and Weinstein J. N Engl J Med 2001;344:363-370
Indications for Surgical Referral among Patients with Low Back Pain
Recommendation 1: Clinicians should conduct a focused history and physical examination to help place patients with low back pain into 1 of 3 broad categories:
-Nonspecific low back pain
-Back pain potentially associated with radiculopathy or spinal stenosis
-Back pain potentially associated with another specific spinal cause
The history should include assessment of psychosocial risk factors, which predict risk for chronic disabling back pain (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Recommendation 2: Clinicians should not routinely obtain imaging or other diagnostic tests in patients with nonspecific low back pain (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Recommendation 3: Clinicians should perform diagnostic imaging and testing for patients with low back pain when severe or progressive neurologic deficits are present or when serious underlying conditions are suspected on the basis of history and physical examination (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Recommendation 4: Clinicians should evaluate patients with persistent low back pain and signs or symptoms of radiculopathy or spinal stenosis with magnetic resonance imaging (preferred) or computed tomography only if they are potential candidates for surgery or epidural steroid injection (for suspected radiculopathy) (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Chou, Roger MD et al. Annals of Internal
MedicineIssue: Volume 147(7), 2 October 2007, pp
478-491
Recommendation 5: Clinicians should provide patients with evidence-based information on low back pain with regard to their expected course, advise patients to remain active, and provide information about effective self-care options (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Recommendation 6: For patients with low back pain, clinicians should consider the use of medications with proven benefits in conjunction with back care information and self-care. Clinicians should assess severity of baseline pain and functional deficits, potential benefits, risks, and relative lack of long-term efficacy and safety data before initiating therapy (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence). For most patients, first-line medication options are acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Recommendation 7: For patients who do not improve with self-care options, clinicians should consider the addition of nonpharmacologic therapy with proven benefits—for acute low back pain, spinal manipulation; for chronic or subacute low back pain, intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation, exercise therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, yoga, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or progressive relaxation (weak recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Chou, Roger MD et al. Annals of Internal
MedicineIssue: Volume 147(7), 2 October 2007, pp
478-491
Gibbus
Chou, R et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Joint Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society . Ann Intern Med October 2, 2007 vol. 147 no. 7 478-491 Deyo R and Weinstein. Low Back Pain. J. N Engl J Med 2001;344:363-370